The block surrounding Fernando Mendoza’s home in Coral Gables, Florida was cordoned off early Thursday afternoon, and the roasted pig — a lechon asado to Cubans like the Mendozas—were in the Caja China all day.
No, Mendoza did not make it to Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL draft. But his family’s draft party in South Florida was, by all accounts, epic.
And that’s as it should be, because it was fitting that Mendoza was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders as the first overall pick in the draft.
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza speaks to the media during the College Football Playoff National Championship media day at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Fla., on Jan. 17, 2026. (Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images)
“The last five months have been such a blessing from God, I can’t thank him enough,” Mendoza said in his first interview after being selected. “I’m just looking forward to getting to work, improving at the next level. College was great. I’m so blessed to have that career.
“But now I’m stepping into a great game, the NFL, looking forward to proving and earning it every single day.”
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Not bad for a kid who occasionally admitted to family, friends and teammates, “I don’t imagine I’m a high pick.”
That all changed when Mendoza transferred to Indiana University before the 2025 season, and out of that unlikely college football power came the unlikely Heisman Trophy winner, national championship-winning quarterback and first-round draft pick.
The Raiders only used a minute or two of the eight allotted before turning in their cards to the NFL for Mendoza.
Only in America.
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The Raiders believe in Mendoza. But the Raiders organization is riddled with quarterback failures in its recent history.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza passes against Miami during the first half of the College Football Playoff national championship game in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
The club signed Geno Smith to make them a contender last season under coach Pete Carroll. Smith led the NFL with 17 interceptions, Carroll was fired and the team was bad enough to “earn” the first pick in this draft.
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Before that, Gardner Minshew failed as a bridge quarterback and Aidan O’Connell didn’t quite develop into a reliable starter.
Before that, Jimmy Garoppolo signed as a free agent but was often injured and inconsistent when healthy. He started just six games in 2023 and was released the following offseason.
Before that, it was Derek Carr, who mostly served his time, was benched in 2022 and ultimately released.
You get the point. It’s been a while since Ken Stabler, Jim Plunkett or even Rich Gannon won a Super Bowl for the franchise.
Mendoza is expected to turn the sad tale around. But it won’t necessarily be right away. The Raiders signed veteran Kirk Cousins earlier this offseason as a bridge starter while Mendoza learns and develops.
The rookie will have some time. But not forever.
A closer look inside the NFL Draft Theater from outside Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa., on April 22, 2026. (IMAGN/Beaver County Times)
He has been appointed to lift an old franchise back to greatness. But it won’t be an easy task because other franchisees will have a vote if it happens.
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Mendoza heads to the AFC West where it is impossible to win without excellent quarterback play.
The Kansas City Chiefs have owned the division since Patrick Mahomes became their starting quarterback in 2018. They won it seven straight until falling back last season.
The Denver Broncos won the division last season because they have one of the NFL’s rising quarterbacks in Bo Nix, who came close to a 4,000-yard season in 2025.
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The Los Angeles Chargers made the playoffs a season ago, and Justin Herbert is typically among the league leaders in passing yards (9th last year) and touchdown passes (tied for seventh).
Now the Raiders respond with Fernando Mendoza – officially number 1 in the 2026 draft.
